Green Moon has won this year's Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.

The last year's Caulfield Cup runner-up made a last minute move to win the $6.2million Cup followed by No.11 Fiorente and No.3 Jakkalberry.

Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Jockey Brett Prebble rode Green Moon over the finish line in his first Melbourne Cup race.

The horse is trained by Robert Hickmott.

Green Moon had been a favourite in the cup race until it finished seventh in the Cox Plate race just over a week ago.

However, Australian media reports stated owner Lloyd Williams was adamant the horse would start in the 24-horse field.

The majority of the race was led by Glencadam Gold and Lights of Heaven before Green Moon made a dash in the final 200 metres to take out the 152^nd Melbourne Cup.

Previous winners and favourites Americain and Dunaden finished back in the field.

And while the fashionistas, the suits and the bubbly mingle at Flemington, in Tauranga the bars along The Strand began filling early in the afternoon with people determined to put in some solid preparation before the 5pm race.

SunLive caught up on some of the action as Tauranga celebrates Melbourne Cup day.

Harcourts Papamoa group celebrate Melbourne Cup day at Cornerstone Pub.